Shadowing Practice: 'Cuba's In a Lot of Trouble': Rubio on Pressuring Cuba - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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A lot of very happy people around the table because we're a great team.
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A lot of very happy people around the table because we're a great team.
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It's been a tremendous period of time for our country.
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And things are going very well.
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The President.
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Could I just ask you Cuba and Venezuela?
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What's going on there?
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Well, interesting.
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Venezuela, that process continues, that three-phase process,
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you know, of obviously stabilization, recovery, and transition.
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I would just say just since January 3rd of this year,
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okay, and I think this number is right.
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Chris or Doug can correct me on this
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but I think over 10 million barrels of Venezuelan oil have been delivered to the United States since the 3rd of January.
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That industry is being professionalized for the first time ever.
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It's going to the benefit of the Venezuelan people.
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They are selling oil in the market at market rates.
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The money is going to an account in the United States controlled and monitored by Treasury,
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audited by KPMG, and it's for the first time ever the money is not being stolen.
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It's going to the benefit of the Venezuelan people.
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Their money has no value.
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Cuba's in a lot of trouble because,
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unfortunately for them, it's run by a bunch of incompetent communists.
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Being communist is bad.
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Being an incompetent communist is like the worst.
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And, but the country's been taken over by this company called Gaesa,
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that basically controls 70% of the economy.
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None of the money in that company goes to help the Cuban people.
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None of it.
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So we'll be talking to them,
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we'll be working on it.
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You know, we want something good for the Cuban people human people.
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And hopefully, there'll be a good outcome there for them.
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There needs to be.
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It's 90 miles from our shores.
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And having a failed state 90 miles from our shores is a threat to the national security of the United States.
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The President.
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I don't care about the midterms.
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Look what happened last night.
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That was the prelude to the midterms.
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People understand it.
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They know that Thank you.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

Engaging with speaking materials like this video offers more than just listening skills; it provides a real-world context that is crucial for ESL learners. The conversation touches on significant geopolitical issues, making it rich in vocabulary and expressions related to politics and economics. By practicing with this video, you can not only enhance your IELTS speaking practice but also develop an understanding of how to articulate complex ideas in English effectively.

Utilizing videos like this for shadow speech allows learners to mimic the intonation, emotion, and pace of native speakers. This practice can lead to improved fluency and confidence when discussing challenging topics, which is especially beneficial in academic or professional settings. It’s a dynamic way to improve your English pronunciation and communication skills.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the transcript, several key grammatical structures and expressions stand out:

  • “I would just say…” - This phrase is useful for introducing opinions or statements cautiously, a common feature in formal discussions.
  • “Could I just ask you…” - A polite way to pose questions, perfect for learners to use in various conversation contexts.
  • “None of it goes to help…” - This structure emphasizes the negative, an important skill in persuasive speaking.
  • “It's going to the benefit of…” - A phrase that articulates positive outcomes and can be employed when discussing effects or solutions.

Learning how to use these expressions in your own speaking can significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in English discussions, particularly during exams like the IELTS.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While practicing with this video, pay attention to specific words and phrases that may present challenges, such as:

  • “incompetent” - The stress is on the second syllable (com), and misplacing it can lead to unclear pronunciation.
  • “communists” - Ensure the final syllable is pronounced clearly to avoid confusion.
  • “Venezuelan” - This word can be tricky; focus on the syllables to pronounce it as “Ven-e-zu-el-an.”

Practicing these terms can help you improve English pronunciation and ensure clarity in your speech. Incorporating the concept of shadowspeak—leaving pauses to repeat the speaker's words—can be particularly beneficial in mastering these pronunciation challenges.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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